Duck retrieving device



July 31, 1962 D. D. ERDMAN DUCK RETRIEVING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledNov. 27, 1959 FIG. 2.

INVENTOR Donald D. Erdman July 31, 1962 D. D. ERDMAN 3,

nucx RETRIEVING DEVICE Filed Nov. 27, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3.

INVENTOR Donald D. Erdman 3,046,687 Patented July 31,1962

United States Patent 3,046,687 DUCK RETRIEVING DEVICE Donald D. Erdman,P.O. Box 394, Kodiak, Alaska Filed Nov. 27, 1959, Ser. No. 855,883 1Claim. (Cl. 431) This invention relates to retrieving devices, and morespecifically to improvements in retrieving devices for recovering watergame which have been shot and are floating on the surface of the .water.

Water game are usually found in shallow water or swamp areas. Such areascan only be partially covered by boat due to the lack of water depth. Asa result, water game often fall into areas which are practicallyinaccessible, and there is created a need for a device which is capableof recovering such game.

It is an object of my invention to provide a retrieving device for theabove purpose which may be folded into a relatively compact form fortransportation in a game bag.

It is another object of my invention to provide a retrieving device forthe above purpose which is of light construction and is adjustable sothat the opening may be increased or decreased in both vertical andhorizontal directions.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a retrieving devicewhich may be cast a considerable distance, and in which the chance oflosing the game beneath or over the device whilst retrieving issubstantially eliminated.

The invention consists of a main float to which the ends of four wingshaped arms are adjustably secured to form a four sided cone shaped trapopen at one end, and closed at the other end by the said float. Two ofsaid wings are provided with floats at their free ends which cause thedevice to float with the remaining wings in a vertical plane, oneprojecting above the water line and the other beneath the said waterline. A yoke issecured to each of the second mentioned floats to providea centrally disposed point to which a line is attached.

Further objects and a better understanding of the invention may be hadfrom the following detailed description of a preferred embodimentthereof, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the retrieving device showing the relationshipof the three floats.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the retrieving device taken along the line2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the retrieving device taken along the line33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the wing anchoring float taken along theline 4--4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a wing float taken along the line 55 ofFIG. 1.

Like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views in the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral represents the main floatwhich is rectangular in shape having a substantially square crosssection. The float has a top 11, side walls 12 and 13 and a bottom wall14. A handle .15 consisting of a link shaped wire is fastened to one endof the float through a hole 16 drilled through-the side 12 and 13. I

Two side wings 17 and 18 consist of a parallel sided frame formed by awire 19 secured at one end to the top of the main float 11. The wire isbent inwardly at the point 20, and extends to the top of a wing float 21to form the upper side of the frame. The wire is now bent downwardlythrough the float at 22 and returns to the underside 14 of the mainfloat following a similar and parallel course to that forming the upperside of the frame. The two ends of the wire 19' are rotatably secured tothe top 11 and bottom 14 of the float 10 by a wing nut 23 and bolt 24.Both wings 17 and 18 are identical, each having a wing float 21, andeach being rotatably secured by the wing nut 23 and bolt 24. Theparallel upper and lower sections of the wire 19 are interlaced with aloose netting 25 retained in a taut state by a central elastic chord 26which i secured at one end 27, centrally to the end of the wing float 21and at the other end at 28 to the sides 12 or 13.

The wing floats 21 have a U-shaped handle 29 which is secured in hingedrelation with section 22 of the wing wire 19. A yoke 30 is attached tothe end of each handle, and is provided with a centrally positionedswivel connector 31 for attachment with a towing line 32.

An upper and lower wing 33 and 34 respectively, are both similar inshape. Each wing is bounded by a frame wire pivota'lly secured to themain float 10 by a wing nut 35 and bolt 36 which passes through a holein the float. Referring to FIG. 2, the wire extend horizontally at 37from the pivotal point to the front end of the main float 10 and thenextends upwardly in a sloping manner as at 38, at which point the wirereturns to a horizontal plane and projects outwardly to form a tongue39. This shape is repeated in an identical manner to form an enclosedThe wings are locked in any desired position by locating the wire endsbetween pegs 43 which project outwardly from a circular ring 44,centrally surrounding each end of the holes provided for bolts 24 and36. In this manner the wings are locked in an open relationship foroperation, or a closed relationship for storage or transportation.

The dimensions of the device will be a matter of choice,

or if desired, a single size may be manufactured having wings which areextendible lengthwise.

In operation the device is held by one of the handles and thrown beyondand in line with the object to be retrieved. Onstriking the water, thedevice will orient itself automatically on the three floats which willsuspend the trap formed by the four wings in a manner such that the twoside wings are bisected longitudinally by the surface of the water; Thedevice'is now drawn toward the operator by the line 32.

Having described the invention with considerable particularity, itshould be understood that various modificaf tions may be made to thedetail thereof without departing from the scope or spirit of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

A water game retriever comprising, a main float having four sides ofsubstantially rectangular cross section, four Wire loops each interlacedwith netting to form four Wings projecting from the ends of the foursides of the float, said loops having ends secured by bolts to oppositesides of the float in an adjustable angular relationship with respect tosaid sides, said wings forming a substantially conical trap having anapex formed by one end of said float, an elastic cord longitudinallybisecting each wing to retain the netting in a taut condition, two ofsaid wings disposed opposite to each other having further floats mountedat their extremities, handles attached to the ends of each of saidfloats, a yoke connecting the handles of said further floats, and a linefor attachment to the centre of said yoke, said retriever being adaptedto float in Water on said floats such that the water level sub- 5stantially bisects the conical trap formed by the wings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 102,414,055 Miller Jan. 7, 1947 2,722,075 Abrassart Nov. 1, 1955 2,801,486Erdman Aug. 6, 1957 2,948,980 Worcester Aug. 16, 1960

